Inter-varsity cricket: Jain University beat AMU

Manipal, Jan 1 (IANS) South Zone runners-up Jain University, Bangalore, prevailed over North Zone winners Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) by three wickets in a quarter-final match of the All-India Inter-Zone University Cricket here at the Manipal Institute of Technology ground Tuesday.

In the other two quarter-finals, South Zone champions University of Madras went down to North Zone runners-up Jamia Millia Islamia by eight wickets at the Manipal University ground one while Bombay University had no difficulty in disposing of API Rewa University, East Zone runners-up, by 76 runs at the MGM College ground.

Heavy showers overnight rendered the second Manipal University ground unplayable so the match between West Zone runners-up Jiwaji University and East Zone winners Jainpuri University will be played Wednesday. The other three quarter-final matches had a late start, with reduced number of overs.

According to the draw, the semi-finals were to start Wednesday but as one quarter-final was rescheduled, the managers of the affected teams in the upper half agreed to play the semi-final of 50 overs instead of two days and 90 overs.

Teams in the lower half, however, will follow the two-day 90-over format in the other semi-final in which Bombay play Jamia Millia.

Jain University Tuesday moved into the semi-finals with a three-wicket win over AMU and will await the winners of the quarter-final between Jainpuri University and Jiwaji.

AMU scored 183/9 in 40 overs and Jain took 49 overs to achieve their target.